Summer is in full swing, and chances are your schedule is, too. Luckily, a few simple kitchen hacks can help keep your snacking game strong while ensuring you still have the time to soak up every bit of the beautiful weather. From storing your Honey Walnut Butter upside down to keep it from separating, to cleaning the blender in a snap, there are lots of tips and tricks to make things easier in the kitchen.
Summer Chillin’
Hot weather calls for icy treats to cool you down, and smoothies are a summer staple! They’re simple, delicious and so easy to customize. One simple smoothie tip is to keep them pre portioned and ready to go. Just blend up a few different smoothie recipes in advance and freeze them in labeled ice cube trays. Pop a few cubes into the blender when you’re ready for a smoothie and enjoy poolside. No lid? No problem! Simply invert a cupcake liner over your cup and hold it in place with a rubber band. You can poke a straw right through it.
The long, lazy days at the pool call for the refreshing flavor and coolness of this Mixed Berry Walnut Chia Smoothie. There’s a little bit of sunshine in every sip! And, this insanely delicious Carrot Cake Smoothie makes an awesome grab-n-go snack that’ll fuel you until lunch, while being both nutritious and delicious. If you’re taking your activities outdoors, try wrapping your pitcher or glass in bubble wrap to keep it cooler longer. This pop-worthy plastic acts as a great insulator, and it’ll protect your container too.
To save time making these Chocolate-Walnut Dipped Strawberry Popsicles, easily hull strawberries with a plastic straw. Starting from the bottom, push the straw through the berry, aiming for the green leafy crown, and pop it right out. Toss your California walnuts into a plastic baggie and gently strike the bag a few times with a kitchen mallet for easy chopping. Now blend, freeze and dip your way to super-nutritious popsicle bliss! Don’t forget to run the popsicle sticks through disposable muffin liners to catch messy drips.
Savory Snacks for Summer
For a dip tip that will help you create a simply beautiful display: Try using hollowed fruit or veggies, such as a scooped-out watermelon or bell pepper, as a serving dish. It’s easy, makes use of food scraps and adds a pop of color to your presentation.
California Walnut Salsa and Walnut and Roasted Tomato Guacamole are ideal for summer appetizers or family-friendly grazing and can be served with veggies or chips for the ultimate snack.
For another delicious savory snack time option, try this Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Hummus. This is the simplest recipe you can make to up your snack game. Throw all of the hummus ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. It’s flavored with accents of roasted red peppers, paprika, and cayenne that blend together effortlessly with tahini, chickpeas, and walnuts.
Summer Sweet Treats
If you’re looking for a touch of sweetness in your snacks, make a batch of these No-Bake Walnut, Cocoa, Cherry Bars early in the week and you’ll have a delicious, satisfying snack for whenever you need a quick pick me up. Medjool dates, oats, walnuts, dried cherries and cocoa powder come together to create a tart and sweet treat.
For a naturally sweet take on a classic trail mix, try this recipe for Vanilla Walnut Berry Trail Mix. Lightly sweetened vanilla-flavored walnuts are tossed with yogurt covered treats. Don’t have any fresh fruit? No problem! This trail mix uses freeze dried fruit, which adds natural sweetness and crunch to your trail mix.
When all the blending and chopping is done, there’s also an easier way to clean kitchen gadgets. Simply fill the blender and/or food processor with soap and water and run it briefly at a couple of different speeds. It may still need some touching up, but the water will do most of the work for you.
Whether you’re spending your day lounging by the pool or crafting with the kids, we’ve got your summer snacks covered!
